Toy.



` H. s. DAUPHIN.

TOY.

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1,025,689. v Patented ,May 7, 1912.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

I-IE'NRY s. DAUPHIN, or snELDoN, VERMONT.

TOY.

- To (LZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY S. DAUPHIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sheldon, in the county of Franklin and State of Vermont, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Toys, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in toys and has for its leading Object the provision of an improved top and means for spinning the same.

The further object of my invention is the provision of a neat and attractive device of inexpensive construction which may be employed to impart a spinning or rotative movement to any top of the type provided with an upstanding spindle portion.

Other objects and advantages of my improved top will be readily apparent by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and it will be understood that I may make any modications in the specific structure shown and described within the scope of my claim without departing from or eX- ceeding the spirit of the invention.

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my invention. F ig. 2 represents a bottom plan view thereof. Fig. 3 represents a perspective view of a top for use in connection with my invention'. Fig. 4 represents a sectional view of my device showing the spindle of the top engaged therein. Fig. 5 represents a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 represents an enlarged sect-ional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4, and Fig. 7 represents a perspectivc view of the tension device removed.

In the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the ball or sphere of my top spinning device which is preferably made of wood having burned thereon the lines 2 in imitation of the seams and stitching of a base ball, it being understood that I have adopted this form merely to present an attractive appearance and the operation of my device has nothing to do with the shape of the member 1.

Formed in the sphere and eXtending at right angles to a radius bisecting the same is the passage 3, a circular passage 4 extending radially into the sphere and bisecting the passage 3. Said passage 4 is of size to receive the spindle 6 of the top 7 said spindle having a groove 8 formed therein and Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 16, 1911.

Patented May 7, 1912. Serial No. 627,497.

the depth of the passage 4 being such as to cause the groove 8 to lie in alinenent with the passage 3.

Secured to the outer face of the passage 3 is areinforcing or wear plate 9, while secured to the inner face of the passage is a second plate 10 having a portion 11 lying alo ng one side of the passage and having a resilient finger 12 bent to lie against the plate 9, said finger having a Central upwardly curving ofi'set portion 13.

In the use of my improved top spinner, I first insert the spindle 6 into the passage 4 and I then pass through the passage 3 and at one side of the spindle 6 the stifi end or needle portion 14 of the cord 15 and draw the needle out of the passage. I then pass the needle backward through the passage on the opposite side of the spindle to form a loop around the spindle and then again pass the needle through the passage to cause the cord to form a coil around the spindle and fitting in the groove 8. The needle and cord when thus inserted lie between the plate 10 and its resilient finger 12, and I then so shift the cord 15 as to engage the same beneath the 'finger, the cord pressing upward into the ofi'set 13 and being clampingly held against the plate 9 by the said spring finger. To spin the top, it is merely necessary to quickly draw on the needle end of the cord, the finger 12 holding the cord tense while the loop or coil 16 around the spindle causes the spindle to rotate as the cord is moved, the engagement of the cord in the groove 8 holding the top within the passage 4 until the cord is drawn off of the spindle, the top then dropping from the member 1 onto the floor or table on which it is desired to spin the top.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation of my improved top spinning device will be readily understood, and it will be seen that I have provided a device which will satisfactorily impart a rotary or spinning movement to the top and will automatically release the top when the impelling cord has completed the imparting of the movement to the top.

I claim:

A toy, comprising a handle portion having passages formed therein and extending at right angles to each other, a top having a grooved spndle engaged in one of said In testimony whereof I afiix ny signapassages, a cord having a coil passing ture, in the presence of two Wtnesses. around the grooved porton of the spndle T and having its ends extendng outward HENRY DAUPHIB' through the passage at right angles to the KV'tnesses: spindle receiving passage, and a tenson de- FRED N. CHASE,

Vice engaging one. end of the cord. H. R. MERRITT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patenta Washington, D. C. 

